wild summer | #wattys2021

chapter eight

Maisie's pov

My boot clicked as I walk up to the busy cafe that I had grown fond of when I needed a drink or to see my friends.

I pulled out my phone. Last night I texted James to call me this morning when he wakes up and I expected a happy reply or a good morning call but my last message was marked as sent but still unread.

My mood went down and I was half rose to leave but paused when I saw a familiar face coming my way.

"Care if I join you?"

"Hello, Edmund. I'm not expecting anyone but sure, come sit," I told him.

Edmund is one of my classmates and I remember our friends told me that Edmund has a thing for me but I never took it serious because they all know I'm with James.

"So how's the tv show going?" he asked.

"Oh Edmund it was absolute fun. We all work hard for it. We still have more scenes to take but the producer is expecting us to wrap up before summer is over."

Edmund smiled. "That's amazing Maisie. I'm glad you had fun, I know you've been dreaming to be a part of this for a long time. And now it's finally your time to shine. Good luck on that."

"Thank you Edmund. You should visit me on the set sometimes. Evie would be there too, sometimes with her girlfriend. All the crew pretty much knows her already." I laughed.

"I definitely will." he smiled. "So, where's James? I haven't seen him with you in a while," asked Edmund.

"He went back to his hometown." I sighed because I was supposed to be there and spend summer break with him.

"And he left you here alone?"

"It's not like that Edmund. I have work to attend in here so I couldn't go with him, but James will be back in a few days." I tucked my hair behind my ear and keep my gaze trained on the cafe's big window glass, seeing cars passing by and people crossing the streets.

Luckily the waiter came with our orders. I quickly took a sip of my chocolate chip.

"You know what Maisie," he started. "Your boyfriend is a fool. If you were mine, I would never leave you out of my sight.

I nearly chocked on my drink at his words.

"Of course he does, Edmund. I'm his girlfriend, he will always has his eyes on me," I huffed.

I turned to look at the man next to me. Sure Edmund was no doubt handsome, charming, and somewhat kind, but he's not James.

"Then tell me, Maisie. Where is he now? Does he know that you're sad and lonely? Or is he having a fun time with some other girl?"

"Is my relationship with James a big joke to you? Yes we had a tough time but we're slowly working on it. We'll be better again when he returns."

Edmund leaned in but I pulled away before he could get any closer.

"Just remember Maisie, reality is a lot crueler than you thought. We can hope, we can try, but they don't always work out."

I only rolled my eyes at him.

"Oh one more thing," he said. "Did you know that our friends bet we would end up together?"

"You know that's ridiculous. I'm with James, and I still love him."

"Of course you are Maisie, but does he still love you?" Edmund asked.

I don't like thinking the possibility of James not loving me anymore so I stood up to leave but Edmund caught my arm.

"I'm sorry Maisie. I don't mean to hurt you. You know I always care about you, right? I know you love him. I just hope he won't be the one that hurts you in the end."

"James won't hurt me," I said. I shook him off and leave the cafe.

I texted Evie, telling her that I'm coming to her place. I checked my phone while walking and still no reply from James, so I call him.

"Maisie, hey, sorry I forgot to charge my phone last night." Oh thank god.

"That's okay, James. Where are you?" I asked him.

"I'm still in the house. Oh um, I'm about to go out actually. Need to grab something at the store."

"You seem busy. Aren't you coming back soon?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll return in a few days. I just thought I stay here a few days longer. I forgot how much I missed it. And the beach is really nice too."

"You went to the beach? Alone?" My fingers held tightly onto my phone.

"Yes, I went alone Maisie. But it's fine, I met a few people. Everyone has been nice."

I don't know if I should feel better or worse. Or maybe he's just talking about a group of old mans inviting him to play chess with them. That's possible, right?

"Uh, sure. I'm glad you're having a good time. Just, please call or text me okay? I'll wait for you to come home."

"Okay, sweetheart. I'll call you later," he said before the line goes out. I muttered a soft "I love you" as if he's still on the other side of the line, but of course he's not.

I stopped walking and had my back against the wall. Is he seeing someone else over there?

The thought of James seeing someone doesn't sit well on my chest. I don't mind James having female friends, not that he has a lot and I basically know all two of them from uni. But recently our relationship hasn't been stable, and it's not entirely impossible for James to find someone else and replace me.

Suddenly I miss having his arms wrapped around me with his chin resting on top of my head while telling me he loves me.

I felt the world spinning and I fear that I will fall. I fear that James has already slipped through my fingers and there's nothing I can do about it.

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